A while back I shared the story of Nicola Thorp, a British woman who get sent home from her temping job because she did not wear high heels to the office. In the wake of that incident, she launched a petition (which as of this posting has more than 150,000 signatures on it) demanding that the British government make it illegal to include high heels in a mandatory workplace dress code.

Now, the case is being examined by British members of Parliament, and Helen Sewell is leading the charge to turn the petition into law—with some pretty shocking facts to help support her cause!

According to her research, 7.2% of the British work force takes at least one sick day per year due to footwear-related health problems—taking a toll on the economy of up to £260 million (the equivalent of $343 million US dollars.)

Among the high-heel related ailments Sewell sights in her argument? Back pain, abdominal problems and even troubles breathing!

According to Ms. Sewell, the need for changes is crystal clear: "I'm not against high heels, rather I am pro-choice for wearing comfortable shoes in the workplace. Research, such as this, shows that when it comes to fashion, women have got the short end of the stick.”